Exercise

We all know we should exercise. Yet with our busy lives, working out can quickly fall off our “to-do” list. But exercise may be as powerful as medication for many health conditions, making it worth reconsidering.

Studies have found that exercise offers benefits similar to anti-inflammatory drugs, insulin medication, anti-anxiety pills and weight loss drugs. Exercise can make such a big difference for your health, it’s worth starting even if you already have diabetes or heart disease. It’s never too late to get benefits, says Mimi Jones, R.N., a cardiac nurse and exercise physiologist who teaches fitness in the Mills-Peninsula Cardio-Metabolic program.

How can you take an “exercise pill” to boost your health? Follow these tips.

Pilates is now a popular form of exercise for gaining strength and flexibility. In this Healthpoint video, Mills-Peninsula exercise physiologist Brooke Benjamin breaks down the basics of Pilates: What is it, how does it work and what are the fitness benefits?

Exercising within your target heart rate zone is the best way to maximize the benefits of your workout. In this video segment, Mills-Peninsula exercise physiologist Brooke Benjamin shows you how to find – and stay – within your target heart rate.

When you exercise, do it like a professional, says exercise physiologist Brooke Benjamin. “Prepare your body before you hit the field, court or pavement with a proper warmup. It helps prevent injuries, but also benefits you in many ways you might not think of,” she says.

Add a warmup before exercise to:

Burn more calories

Gain better muscle control

Improve your range of motion

Prevent sore muscles

Perform longer workouts

Prepare yourself mentally

Avoid strains, sprains and other injuries

Benjamin demonstrates simple warmup and cool down exercises in this video segment from Healthpoint TV.

About This Blog

This blog offers articles & general health tips from our medical experts to promote wellness. It does not provide personalized medical advice. If you have a specific medical question, please contact your doctor directly. Thank you for visiting our blog.